Gendered Challenges in Academia: Exploring the Impact of Working Hours, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Mid-Level University Staff in Germany

Röbken, Heinke; Geier, Nicole; Behrens, Dorthe; Mertens, Anne

doi:10.3390/educsci15080990

Open AccessArticle

Gendered Challenges in Academia: Exploring the Impact of Working Hours, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Mid-Level University Staff in Germany

Institute of Pedagogy, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany

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Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080990

Submission received: 28 April 2025 / Revised: 16 July 2025 / Accepted: 22 July 2025 / Published: 4 August 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mind Matters: Exploring Mental Health and Well-Being in the Education System)

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Abstract

This study examines the relationships between job satisfaction, overtime hours, perceived stressors, and burnout symptoms among academic mid-level staff at German universities, with a particular focus on gender differences. Drawing on survey data from 1442 academics collected in April/May 2023, this study applies t-tests and regression analyses to examine the effects of structural and personal factors on job satisfaction. The findings suggest that job satisfaction is primarily shaped by psychosocial and institutional conditions. Negative predictors are perceived job insecurity, burnout symptoms, and excessive overtime, whereas a strong dedication to work buffers against these. Variables such as gender, age, parenthood, and participation in structured PhD programs did not show substantial effects. Notably, respondents who postponed having children for professional reasons reported lower job satisfaction, pointing to potential conflicts between career and personal life expectations.

Keywords: job satisfaction; overtime; well-being; early career researchers; academic stress

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MDPI and ACS Style

Röbken, H.; Geier, N.; Behrens, D.; Mertens, A. Gendered Challenges in Academia: Exploring the Impact of Working Hours, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Mid-Level University Staff in Germany. Educ. Sci. 2025, 15, 990. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080990

AMA Style

Röbken H, Geier N, Behrens D, Mertens A. Gendered Challenges in Academia: Exploring the Impact of Working Hours, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Mid-Level University Staff in Germany. Education Sciences. 2025; 15(8):990. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080990

Chicago/Turabian Style

Röbken, Heinke, Nicole Geier, Dorthe Behrens, and Anne Mertens. 2025. "Gendered Challenges in Academia: Exploring the Impact of Working Hours, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Mid-Level University Staff in Germany" Education Sciences 15, no. 8: 990. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080990

APA Style

Röbken, H., Geier, N., Behrens, D., & Mertens, A. (2025). Gendered Challenges in Academia: Exploring the Impact of Working Hours, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Mid-Level University Staff in Germany. Education Sciences, 15(8), 990. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080990

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Gendered Challenges in Academia: Exploring the Impact of Working Hours, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Mid-Level University Staff in Germany

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